Variations in Candy Guide

Consumers should be aware of the unusual appearance of some candies due to the way they are made or due to temperature variations that can affect the product. “Bloom” on chocolate occurs due to temperature variations and gives the exterior of the chocolate a cloudy white appearance (although it does not affect the flavor). Other candies, such as bubblegum, have a food starch dusting on them. These unusual appearances sometimes occur naturally during the manufacturing and/or storage of candy.

The following list gives possible explanations for some manufacturing quality issues with chocolate and non-chocolate candy items and gum. If you have any further questions, contact the manufacturer of the product. If you have reason to suspect the candy you have has been tampered with, contact your local police or health department.

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Appearance	Normal Condition
Air Bubbles	Result of manufacture
Color Variation	Normal Condition
Graying Chocolate (resembles light powder)	Fat “bloom” caused by exposure to heat Sugar “bloom” caused by exposure to dampness
White Powder-like Substance	Food starch used as release agent in manufacture or during packaging
Unmixed Color	Result of manufacture
Shiny, Crystal-like Substance	Large sugar or crystals resulting from manufacture Hard unexpanded malted milk ball center Tree sap, a gum sometimes present from nuts (from trees)
Indentations	Result of manufacture Sometimes due to a timing imperfection in wrapping
Lumps	Normal Condition
Hard	Result of manufacture May be peanut bit, stem or fruit bit
White Particles on Candy	Result of manufacture May be starch that has not dissolved or sugar or salt from peanut butter
Metallic Taste	Candy burned in manufacture
White particles on container	Sugar or starch from manufacture
Holes (looks as if it was made with the tip of a pin)	Air holes or starch holes that result from chocolate enrobing process Holes from sizing units
Whitish-yellow powder	On product or in container from crushing of chocolate On surface below chocolate covering, may be starch covering for filling
Spotted Surface	Black or Brown spots may be sugar burned in manufacture
Looks or Feels Like a Little Pebble	Hard pieces of unexpanded malted milk ball center
Other	Normal Condition
Unexpected Taste	Citric or ascorbic acid that has not dissolved may be unusually bitter or sour Unusually strong flavoring may result from air bubbles with concentrated flavoring
Wet look	Moisture from product of polish solution
Wood	Peanut stem approximately 3/4 ‘ long with a rough textured exterior
Stringy Substance on Surface	Escaped cream or other center